Sunday, March 5, 2017

Staples Center

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The New Orleans Pelicans travel to Staples Center to play the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, March 5, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has New Orleans as 4.5 point favorites.

The Pelicans come into this game with an overall record of 24-38. They are 5th in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of -3.4 as they are averaging 103.1 points per game while giving up 106.5 per contest. The Lakers have an overall record of 19-43. They currently are 5th in the Pacific Division. They are averaging 104.0 points per game and surrendering 110.9, good for a point differential of -6.9.

Demarcus Cousins comes into this contest averaging 27.4 points per game while playing 34.3 minutes per night so far this season for the Pelicans. He pulls down 11 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is currently at 77%. Anthony Davis averages 28.2 points per game in 36.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.2 assists per contest and 11.8 rebounds per game for New Orleans. His field goal percentage is 50% for the year while his free throw percentage is 80%.

Julius Randle averages 13 points per game while playing 28.4 minutes per contest this year for the Lakers. He grabs 8.4 rebounds per game and has 3.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage currently is at 71%. Jordan Clarkson averages 13.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 27.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.9 rebounds per contest and 2.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 78%.

New Orleans averages 103.1 points per contest this season which ranks them 21st in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -3.39 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them ranked 22nd. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 21st in the league. They average 44 rebounds per game and 22.3 assists per game which ranks them 12th and 16th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 22nd with 13.3 per game. The Pelicans allow 106.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 22nd in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 6th and 5th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 48.6 rebounds a game which ranks 30th and they give up 23.2 assists per contest which puts them in 22nd place in the league. They force 13.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 13th in the league.

Los Angeles averages 104 points per game this year which ranks them 19th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -6.89 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team which has them sitting in the 23rd spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 22nd in the NBA. They average 43.8 rebounds per game and 20.6 assists per contest which ranks them 16th and 26th respectively. In the turnover department the Lakers rank 7th with 15.2 per game. The Lakers allow 110.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 27th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc ranking them 30th and 23rd in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 44.9 rebounds a game which ranks 25th and they give up 25.4 assists per contest which puts them in 30th place in the league. The Lakers force 14.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 16th in the NBA.

The Pelicans have an offensive rating of 103.8 and a defensive rating of 107.3. In terms of pace they average 97.9 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 50%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they shoot 3 pointers on 31% of their shots. New Orleans turns the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions and they force 12.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%.

The Lakers rating on offense is 105.7 and they have a defensive rating of 112.7. They get 98.4 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 50%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they attempt 3 pointers on 31% of their shot attempts. Los Angeles turns the ball over on 13.6 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 12.7 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 54%.

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 29-32-1 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 28-34-0 against the over/under

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 27-33-2 against the spread

The Los Angeles Lakers are 33-28-1 against the over/under

New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/22/16 F Quincy Pondexter Knee out indefinitely
03/04/17 F Anthony Davis Finger injured last game, probable Sunday vs. LA Lakers
03/04/17 C Omer Asik Illness is downgraded to expected to miss Sunday vs. LA Lakers
03/03/17 G Jarrett Jack Knee out indefinitely

Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

03/04/17 F Luol Deng Undisclosed "?" Sunday vs. New Orleans

Guy's Pick: Take Los Angeles +4.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn